John Marian Cavitt

CAVITT, MILLER, WAY, MILLS, KIPLINGER, ROSS

Posted By: C Street (email)
Date: 10/7/2005 at 20:29:41

Obituary, The Galata (Montana) Journal, Page 1, July 6, 1916

Passing of a Pioneer

John M. Cavitt was born in Rush County, Indiana, Nov. 30, 1839, and died June 30th, 1916 at Grandview, Montana, aged 76 years and six months.
In 1845, his parents emigrated to Van Buren County, Iowa, where he grew to manhood.

At the age of 21 he enlisted in the U.S. Army; 10th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, serving as a corporal, later being discharged on account of disability.

In the year of 1864, the family by oxteam crossed the plains to Clear Lake, Calif.

This was the year of the drouth in that state, and all of their cattle died from starvation. In April, 1865, with one brother and a few companions he made the trip from California to Grizzly Gulch, Montana, (Should be Last Chance Gulch)on horse back arriving June 20 the same year. He engaged in mining, but later became interested in freighting from Fort Benton to Helena.

His niece, Montana Ross, was born August 6, 1865, on Claim 17, being the first white child born in the camp, which later became the capital city of Montana.

In 1871, he was united in marriage to Amanda J. Kiplinger, who died Oct. 16, 1894. To this union five children were born, three of whom are now living. Maude D. Mills and Vorhees Cavitt of Rushville, Indiana, and John W. Cavitt of Grandview, Montana.

He is survived by two sisters and one brother, Elizabeth Miller and William Cavitt of Van Buren County, Iowa, and Ellen Way of Roseville Calif.

He was always cheerful, a good husband, kind father and useful citizen. His last three years were spent on his homestead in Toole County in northern Montana in which he had unbounded faith.

Interment was made at Rushville, Indiana, the place of his birth. May his spirit rest in peace.

From the collection of Connie Street, a gift from Tom Scalese.